The internet can be used for many things but whoodathunk that organizing a “flash mob” to commit a robbery would be one of ’em?
A ‘Flash mob’ is defined as ‘a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and sometimes seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then disperse, often for the purposes of entertainment, satire, artistic expression, or in some cases violence’.
They are usually organized over the internet via social networking sites like Twitter and/or Facebook.
Flash mobs began harmlessly enough: friends gathering via social media to dance in unison in public (like THIS ONE dancing to Beyonce’s “End of Time” in Target) but this year, they’ve progressed from unexpected dance routines to disrupting businesses and committing violent acts.
Over the weekend a “flash mob” is believed to have been assembled primarily for the purpose of robbing a Maryland convenience store… and in typical “flash mob” fashion, they did it in less than a minute!
Details + news footage below:
VIDEO: Flash Mob Robbery (Surveillance Tape)
The surveillance video above shows several teens walking into a 7-Eleven convenience store Saturday at around 1:47 a.m.
They grabbed items from the shelves, then waltzed out without paying for hundreds of dollars in snacks and merchandise.
Germantown 7-Eleven customer Kristina Halon says she comes to the store almost every day. She doesn’t want the violence plaguing other communities to invade her hometown store. “I just hope it doesn’t get more violent,” she says.
“You’re breaking the law?the implications that go along with that,? says 7-Eleven customer Sandy Chittenden.
VIDEO: Flash Mob Robbery (News Footage)
“At least 28 different individuals” have been confirmed on the video, Capt. Paul Starks told CNN Tuesday.
Montgomery County Police posted the video on YouTube.com and asked for help from the public in identifying the perpetrators.
“We’re getting a lot of response from sources in the community who have seen the video, who are concerned, and are calling police with tips,” Starks said.
Although investigators have said they ‘”can’t confirm how this (robbery) was organized,” Starks does believe the Internet was involved.
While working to identify and find the group of teens, Starks said Montgomery County has been “coordinating with the state Attorney General’s office and discussing what charges will be appropriate” when arrests are made.
Earlier this month, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed an order moving curfews to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for people younger than 18 in Center City, the heart of Philadelphia’s downtown, and in University City, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.
Nutter announced the earlier curfew following a string of mob attacks by young people alerted to gatherings via e-mail and social media. (source)
This is insane!!!